Dapper was a Los Angeles native who appeared in 18 games with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. He was best known for being the only ballplayer in history to be traded for a broadcaster. When Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster Red Barber went on a medical leave during the 1948 season, team president Branch Rickey called Earl Mann, the owner of the minor league Atlanta Crackers, and asked for permission to sign Harwell. Mann wanted compensation for his popular broadcaster and said his team needed a catcher.

Rickey sent Dapper from the Dodgers’ Triple-A Montreal affiliate to the Crackers to complete the deal. Dapper continued his minor league career as a player and manager through 1957. Harwell left the Dodgers after the 1949 season, he was replaced by Fordham University graduate Vin Scully. Harwell became a Hall of Fame broadcaster, primarily with the Detroit Tigers. Despite the famous trade, Harwell and Dapper did not meet for more than a half a century until the dedication ceremonies for Harwell’s statue at Detroit’s Comerica Park in 2002.

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Interesting post, Emma. Did not know that there ever was a player traded for a broadcaster. Unthinkable in today’s media-crazy world. Anyway, may he rest in peace.
Catherinehttp://chisoxblog.mlblogs.com/

Emma,
Sorry for to hear of the recent loss of another member of the Dodger Blue family. I hate how sometimes these things go into cycles,and we lose so much of the past ballplayers in such a short span.
That was a special tidbit you gave us on Mr. Dapper bieng the only MLB ballplayer ever traded for a broadcaster. The fact that broadcaster ended up in the Baseball Hall of Fame just adds a special trump to the entire story. What a great touch that in 2003, Dapper finally got to meet the golden-voiced broadcasting icon he was traded for so long ago.

Emma, Not sure if you noticed that another former Brooklyn Dodger, Gino Cimoli, passed away yesterday at age 82. He was the first L.A. Dodger to come to the plate ever. Leading off against the Giants at Seals Stadium on April 15, 1958. Sadly, I had attempted to contact him for his remembrances of Sandy Amoros for my post about 3-4 weeks ago, since he lived very close to me. We were never able to meet up. Very friendly man.

Sorry I have not been around!
Catherine,
It will never happen again to have a player and a broacaster involved in a trade.
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Virginia,
We had so many war hero AND baseball hero at the same time. I have an interesting story about that I’ll share on a later post.
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YAY! Mike is back and the trolley! Woohoo!
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Rays,
Is incredible that they only got to meet in 2003, after all that time!
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OpinionofKingmansperformance (Evan),
Oh no, I did not know that we lost another one of our Brooklyn boys. Rest in peace Gino Cimoli. Thank you so much Evan for letting me know. I’ve been running around today and yesterday with a 50th birthday party.
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Peter,
I scraped my leg and lost my phone but it was all worth it! It was hard work but we had a great time with Dodger players and Dodger fans all around.
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Sue,
Glad you learn something new! I love it when someone can learn a little something from my blog.
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